THERE ARE TWO active Fil-American artists who are gathering not only Filipinos but diverse ethnicities across the United States of America through channels of multiracial cultures through socio-civic organizations and filmmaking.
The first one is Edgar Santiago, a Thomasian who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism from the Faculty of Arts and Letters of the University of Santo Tomas.
On August 22, 2026 (Sunday in the US) Edgar will again be part of the leadership of the North Texas Asian American Cultural Association or NTAACA when it celebrates its forty (40) years of friendship, volunteering, unity and community fellowship among various ethnicities across the US at Dallas-Fort Worth in Texas.
“We will gather many minds and cultural displays of the officers and members of the organization,” said Edgar in an on-line interview.
“As we mark the fortieth year of the group, we pay tribute to this widely organized group composed of different members from different cultural descent like Japanese, Laotian, Thais, Taiwanese, Vietnamese, Mexican, Chinese, Filipinos, Indonesians, Nepalese, Indians, Koreans, among other nationalities all embracing the heart of American spirit,” explained Ed.
This year’s celebration is led by Susan Ordona, the thirty-first (31st) president of the club since its inception with her twenty-six (26) Board of Directors and members from all over the world who are residing in the US.
Santiago was former president of NTAACA in two separate years, 1997 and 2016.
“A gap of eighteen years but they are all worth it,” he exclaimed.
Edgar is a born leader or so it seems.
During his tenure at the pontifical university, he was one of the campus journalists who ran The Varsitarian, the Thomasian school paper as its Pilipino Editor while he was also an active member of Phi Chi Rho, the only recognized fraternity in UST.
MPP’s Mario A. Hernando
It was also during college that he dabbled in movie acting through the intercession of his frat master, the late member of the prestigious Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP) Mario A. Hernando who recommended and introduced him to Lino Brocka, now National Artist for Film in the anthology film, “Tatlo, Dalawa, Isa” (1974) in the episode “Hellow, Soldier,” written by Sister Angela Barrios that starred Hilda Koronel and Anita Linda.
The movie is about the estranged relationship of a former sex worker (Linda) in Angeles City’s US bases in Clark who was sired a daughter (Koronel) by an American serviceman who plans to petition her leaving alone her mother in the Philippines.
Edgar played the role of a district leader in a Manila slum who shoved and disciplined the informal settlers who were curious of the presence of white people in the squalor.
After graduation from college, Edgar went into Public Relations (PR) while he wrote press releases for Vicor Recording Company and Blackgold Records’ artists like Sharon Cuneta, Rey Valera, Imelda Papin, Dulce, Hagibis, Anthony Castelo, Rico J. Puno, among other singers.
On the side, Ed had guest stints in TV variety shows such as “Twelve O’clock High,” a daily noontime variety show and “Ariel Con Tina,” a talk TV, both programs were hosted by Ariel Ureta and Tina Revilla aired in Banahaw Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) Channel 2 and “Rhoda and Me,” a dating show emceed by Ronald Remy in Channel 11.
Maximino Plus
At the moment, Edgar is the manager of Maximino Plus, a healthcare virtual facility called which caters to the medical and wellbeing needs of patients across the US.
“Maximino Plus provides healthcare professionals through American Housecall and American Personal Care. Through our virtual assistants, we know where to send health care services like physicians and other medical practitioners. At the American Housecall, we provide personalized care to the comfort of the patient’s home like routine check-up, chronic disease management, or post-hospitalization care and many more medical attentions.
“While at American Personal Care, we serve healthcare for all, especially our loved ones like our grandparents and other Senior Citizens. I am looking for virtual assistants for them. You can get in touch with me through edgar@maximinoplus.com or www.maximinoplus.com,” said Santiago.
Ed is a protean who mixes Filipino culture in the US by dancing for Amihan Philippine Dance Society in Texas, socio-civic life and health and wellness.
“I can handle them simultaneously. I can dance in one instance and attend to the medical needs of people the next,” he shared.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, August 23, 2026 (US time), queer Filipino American filmmaker Mike Talplacido will present in a world premiere his feature directorial debut, “In This Moment” at the iconic Roxie Theater as an official selection of the San Francisco Queer Film Festival (SFQFF) 2026.
Set in North Carolina, “In This Moment” follows a Filipino American writer and his husband as they grapple with infidelity, caregiving, loss, and the possibility of redemption.
Marriage and Past Lives
“Think of it as Marriage Story meets Past Lives but set in the American South and featuring an interracial LGBTQ couple,” said Talplacido in a press brief.
“One half of the couple is Filipino American, just like me, while the other is his husband from North Carolina. Although the film isn’t autobiographical, it draws inspiration from many aspects of my life, my relationships and the people around me,” explained Mike.
For Talplacido, representation was central to the project.
“My goal was to tell a story centered on a Filipino American protagonist. We still don’t see many stories like these in mainstream cinema, especially ones set in the American South. I hope this film reminds audiences that these lives, relationships, and experiences exist” he added.
While rooted in a specific community, the film explores universal themes of love, forgiveness, grief, and second chances.
“At its heart, ‘In This Moment’ is about love, forgiveness, and redemption. No matter who we are or where we come from, I believe everyone deserves the opportunity for a second chance,” shared the director.
“In This Moment” will screen as part of the Closing Night program of the SFQFF on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at 4:30 p.m. .
The festival runs August 21–23, 2026.
Tickets are available at www.sfqueerfilmfest.com.
Now in its sixth year, the SFQFF celebrates groundbreaking independent films by underrepresented queer storytellers and is proudly created by filmmakers for filmmakers.
Director Kevin Thomas
Programming Director Kevin Thomas said, “We are so happy to screen ‘In This Moment’ as it touches us on so many levels – from love to family to aging.”
He added: “It also makes sense to screen here as the Bay Area is the hub of many Filipino Americans and we love the representation of people from all walks of life.”
Following its World Premiere, “In This Moment” will continue its festival journey with additional screenings throughout September, including a Southern California premiere and a North Carolina homecoming premiere.
“This is just the beginning,” quipped Talplacido.
“I’m excited to continue sharing this film with audiences and hope you’ll follow along on Instagram @kissmymike_official.”
Talplacido is based in the Pacific Northwest.
Born in the Philippines, he lived in North Carolina for 17 years before relocating to Washington State.
His previous short films have screened at festivals including NewFilmmakers Los Angeles, Asian World Film Festival, and the Los Angeles International Children’s Film Festival, among others.
In This Moment was a finalist in the 2026 AAPI Renaissance Rally.
It received a 2025 NC grant through the Cucalorus Foundation and the North Carolina Film Office. The screenplay was a product of a workshop at Lambda Literary where Talplacido participated as a 2025 writing fellow.
For more information about “In This Moment” and other projects from Talplacido, visit kmmventures.com.